Five people tragically died after their Volkswagen Golf collided with a Toyota Land Cruiser shortly after 9pm on Saturday on the L3168 at Gibstown near Dundalk
Tributes have poured in for the five people killed in a “shocking and devastating” car crash near Dundalk, Ireland.
Three men and two women were all killed when the Volkswagen Golf they were in collided with a Toyota Land Cruiser on Saturday evening. The crash took place on the L3168 at Gibstown, Dundalk, shortly after 9pm.
Those who died have been named as Chloe McGee, 23, from Carickmacross; Alan McCluskey, 23, from Drumconrath; Dylan Commins, 23, from Ardee; Shay Duffy, 21, from Carrickmacross; and Chloe Hipson, 21, from Lanarkshire, Scotland.
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Road closures expected until midday
The L3168 at Gibstown, Dundalk will remain closed until at least midday, police have said.
In a statement posted on Facebook on Sunday evening, An Garda Síochána Louth said: “The L3168 at Gibbstown, Dundalk, will remain closed overnight and is not expected to open until at least noon, tomorrow, Monday 17th November, pending technical examination.
“An Garda Síochána Louth appreciate the co-operation and patience of the public at this time.”
‘This is a shocking, devastating event for these families’
Speaking near the scene of the crash on Sunday, Superintendent Charlie Armstrong appealed for anyone who witnessed the tragedy to speak to the Garda investigation team.
He said: “Yesterday evening, just after 9pm, there was a serious road traffic collision involving two vehicles, a Volkswagen Golf and a Toyota Land Cruiser. Five occupants of the Volkswagen Golf, three males and two females, all in their early 20s, are deceased at the scene.”
He said family liaison officers have been appointed to each of the families and gardai will keep them updated. Mr Armstrong said: “I want to express my condolences and sympathies and the sympathies of every member of An Garda Siochana to the families of the five young adults who lost their lives yesterday evening in this road traffic collision.”
Mr Armstrong added: “I want to acknowledge and express my gratitude to my colleagues in An Garda Siochana and the other emergency services who attended the scene last night.
Superintendent Charlie Armstrong speaking to the media near the scene of the crash (
“The scene was very difficult, in adverse weather conditions, and the professionalism shown by all first responders and the care and respect shown to the five deceased was exemplary. This tragedy, with the loss of five young adults, will have a deep impact on families and local communities in Carrickmacross, Dromconrath and in Scotland.
“This is a shocking, devastating event for these families, their communities and the community here in Dundalk. I want to take the opportunity to appeal to any person with any information on this road traffic collision to contact the investigation team at Dundalk Garda Station.
“I am appealing to any person who was on the L3168 between 8.30pm and 9.15pm, last night Saturday November 15 2025, to contact the Garda investigation team. I am appealing to any person who might have any camera footage or images from the L3168, Gibstown area, between 8.30pm and 9.15pm last night, to give that footage or images to the investigation team at Dundalk Garda Station.
“The investigation team can be contacted at Dundalk Garda Station on 042 9388400, the Garda confidential line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda station.” He added: “Finally, I once again want to express my sympathies to the families of the five young people who lost their lives yesterday evening.”
President of Ireland Catherine Connolly is “deeply saddened”
President of Ireland Catherine Connolly said: “As President of Ireland, I am deeply saddened and shocked by the loss of five precious young lives in Louth last night.
“I am thinking of them, their families and of those injured. May I acknowledge also all those first responders who have worked to support all involved.”
First Minister Michelle O’Neill is ‘absolutely broken’
Leader of the opposition Mary Lou McDonald pays tribute
Total number of people killed on Irish roads reaches 157
The latest crash brings to 157 the number of people killed on the roads so far this year. That is 10 more than in the same period last year.
Ireland’s deputy premier Simon Harris’ statement – in full
Irish Prime Minister pays tribute
Vehicle pictured being removed from scene
Pictures emerged this evening of a vehicle being removed from the scene of the crash near Dundalk.
The crash, which occurred at around 9pm last night, led to the deaths of five people.
A vehicle is removed on a recovery truck from the scene on the L3168 just outside Dundalk (Image:PA)
Crash occurred hours before World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims
Today (Sunday) is the World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims. The crash itself occurred at around 9pm on Saturday.
Superintendent Liam Geraghty told reporters at the scene earlier: “The events that occurred here last night again are a very, very clear reminder for us of how things can change dramatically on our roads in a split second, and the tragedy that that brings to families, to communities and to loved ones.
“As we stand here today, 157 people have lost their lives on Irish roads so far this year in 2025. That is a slight increase, unfortunately, in the number who lost their lives on roads in 2024.”
Heartbreaking tributes to ‘beautiful’ woman, 21, among five dead
Tributes have poured in for Chloe Hipson, 21, who was among the five people killed in a horrific car crash in Ireland this weekend.
North Motherwell FC said they would be holding a one minute silence in memory of Chloe, who is the younger sister of their veteran player Ryan Hipson.
The team posted on Facebook: “North Motherwell Football Club are devastated to hear the tragic news of the untimely passing of Chloe Hipson, Chloe is the little sister to one of our veteran players Ryan Hipson. Ryan, you and your family have always held a special place in the hearts of everyone at NMFC and are very much still part the football family.
“I am sure everyone will join me in sending our deepest condolences to you, Toni, Ryan, wee Tommy and all your family at this life shattering time. As a mark of respect NMFC will host a one minutes silence in memory of Chloe and to show our support for the Hipson family. Rest in peace Chloe Hipson. [sic]”
Chloe Hipson, 21 (Image:An Garda Síochána)
Victims believed to have been heading to Dundalk for night out
The five victims are believed to have been on their way to Dundalk for a night out, gardai said.
They were named as Chloe McGee, 23, and Shay Duffy, 21, both from Carrickmacross; Alan McCluskey, 23, from Drumconrath; Dylan Commins, 23, from Ardee; and Chloe Hipson, 21, from Lanarkshire in Scotland.
‘Veil of deep sadness’ falls over Ireland
Ireland’s deputy premier Simon Harris said a “veil of deep sadness” had come over the country following the loss of five lives in a road crash in Co Louth.
The Tanaiste said: “A veil of deep sadness and shock has come over our country this morning with the news emerging of the devastating loss of five young lives overnight in a road traffic accident in County Louth.
“This morning, my thoughts, and I know the thoughts of people right across our country, are with the families of those who have lost loved ones, their friends and their communities.
“We keep them in our prayers and in our thoughts now and in the time ahead.
“I also want to pay tribute to the emergency services.
“One cannot even imagine the extraordinarily difficult and tragic circumstances in which they found themselves working last night as they set about trying to help in the most harrowing of situations.”
Public appeals launched
An Garda Síochána is making the following appeals:
- to any person with any information on this road traffic collision to contact the investigation team at Dundalk Garda Station.
- to any person who was on the L3168 between 8.30pm and 9.15pm, last night Saturday 15th November 2025 to contact the Garda Investigation Team.
- to any person who might have any camera footage or images from the L3168, Gibstown area between 8.30pm and 9.15pm, last night Saturday 15th November 2025 to give that footage or images to the investigation team at Dundalk Garda Station.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Dundalk Garda Station on 042 938 8400, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda station.
Alan McCluskey, 23, from Drumconrath
Alan McCluskey has been named as one of the five people who died in the Co Louth crash. His family has been informed.
Alan McCluskey, 23, from Drumconrath (Image: An Garda Síochána)
Chloe Hipson, 21, from Lanarkshire, Scotland
Chloe Hipson has been named as one of the five people who died in the Co Louth crash. Her family has been informed.
Chloe Hipson, 21, from Lanarkshire, Scotland (Image:An Garda Síochána)
Dylan Commins, 23, from Ardee
Dylan Commins has been named as one of the five people who died in the Co Louth crash. His family has been informed.
Dylan Commins, 23, from Ardee (Image:An Garda Síochána)
Shay Duffy, 21, from Carrickmacross
Shay Duffy has been named as one of the five people who died in the Co Louth crash. His family has been informed.
Shay Duffy, 21, from Carrickmacross (Image:An Garda Síochána)
Chloe McGree, 23, from Carickmacross
Chloe McGree has been named as one of the five people who died in the Co Louth crash. Her family has been informed.
Chloe McGree, 23, from Carickmacross (Image:An Garda Síochána)
Road closures remain
A section of the L3168 remains closed between the N52 and the R171, pending a technical examination by Garda Forensic Collision Investigators and Divisional Scenes of Crime Unit. Local traffic diversions remain in place.
Update on sixth occupant of Volkswagen Golf
Gardai said the sixth occupant of Volkswagen Golf, a male in his 20s, continues to receive medical treatment in Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Drogheda for non-life threatening injuries.
The occupants of the Toyota Landcruiser a male and a female in their 20s were also taken to Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Drogheda for medical treatment for non-life threatening injuries.
Gardai name five people killed
Gardai said in a statement this afternoon:
Five young adults, occupants of the Volkswagen Golf, are deceased as a result of this Road Traffic Collision. With the permission of the families An Garda Síochána can confirm the names of the deceased as:
- Chloe McGee, age 23 years, Carickmacross
- Alan McCluskey, age 23 years, Drumconrath
- Shay Duffy, age 21 years, Carrickmacross
- Chloe Hipson, age 21 years, Lanarkshire, Scotland
- Dylan Commins, age 23 years, from Ardee
Loss of life ‘shocking and devastating’ says superintendent
Superintendent Charlie Armstrong issued a statement after the crash saying the loss of life was “shocking and devastating”.
He said: “I want to acknowledge and express my gratitude to my colleagues in An Garda Siochana and the other emergency services who attended the scene last night.
“The scene was very difficult, in adverse weather conditions, and the professionalism shown by all first responders and the care and respect shown to the five deceased was exemplary.
“This tragedy, with the loss of five young adults will have a deep impact on families and local communities in Carrickmacross, Dromconrath and in Scotland. This is a shocking, devastating event for these families, their communities and the community here in Dundalk.”
‘Major incident response’ was declared after crash
Gardai declared a ‘major incident response’, explaining the five victims were all aged in their 20s and pronounced dead at the scene. Investigators remained at the scene on Sunday.
Another man, also in his 20s, was “removed” from the car and taken to Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Drogheda, where he was treated for “serious non-life-threatening injuries”, said Superintendent Charlie Armstrong. A man and a woman in the second vehicle, a Toyota, were also taken to the same hospital. Their injuries are described as “non-life-threatening”.
Tim Hanlon
Appeal for images and footage after crash
Gardai are appealing to any person who might have any camera footage or images from the L3168 between 8.30pm and 9.15pm last night to contact the investigation team.
The investigation team can be contacted at Dundalk Garda station on 042 9388400, the Garda confidential line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda station.
Gardaí at the scene of a fatal road traffic collision (Image:Irish Mirror)
Ireland’s deputy premier Simon Harris tells of ‘deep sadness’
Ireland’s deputy premier Simon Harris said a “veil of deep sadness” had come over Ireland following the crash.
He said: “A veil of deep sadness and shock has come over our country this morning with the news emerging of the devastating loss of five young lives overnight in a road traffic accident in County Louth. This morning, my thoughts, and I know the thoughts of people right across our country, are with the families of those who have lost loved ones, their friends, and their communities.
“We keep them in our prayers and in our thoughts now and in the time ahead. I also want to pay tribute to the emergency services.
“One cannot even imagine the extraordinarily difficult and tragic circumstances in which they found themselves working last night as they set about trying to help in the most harrowing of situations.”
